Russia, Japan, China

Front 1

Name Japan's four major islands

Back 1

Kyushu, Shikoku, Honshu, Hokkaido

Front 2

What policies did the Tokugawa Shogunate pursue in 17th-19th centuries?

Back 2

Established powerful shogunate combining feudalism, military rule, and police state in 1603

Front 3

What was Commodore Perry's role in Japanese history? What consequences, short and long term, did his actions have on Japan?

Back 3

He was the start of international trade with Japan. Short term consequences were that America now traded with Japan, then after awhile, European nations followed in suit and Japan was opened.

Front 4

What was the Meeji Restoration in XIX century Japan?

Back 4

The transformation of Japan from a middle ages nation to the modern age. Focus was on "modernization" not "westernization" Tokugawa were out and emperor remained as nationalistic symbol.

Front 5

Explain the role of geography in Japan's development and why Japan differs from Great Britain despite similar geographical circumstances.

Back 5

While England became an industrial seapower, Japan stayed home and did not develop industry because they thought isolation was better than contending with powerful China. Everything it needed was created within the country. Asian monarchs weren't competitive in exapnsion so Japan had not incentive to discover new lands.

Front 6

What rhetoric did the militaristic leaders of Japan employ to justify WWII intervention?

Back 6

..."Japanese spirit" was invincible, similar to the Nazis. Racism, extreme nationalism, militarism and some socialism. (?) joining the Axis

Front 7

Explain the role and relevance of METI for Japan's industrialization.

Back 7

Ministry of international economy, trade and industry. They are the real powers in Japan. METI dictates the big public-works contracts.

Front 8

What was Japan's dominant political party throughout the 20th and beginning of the 21st centuries? Explain.

Back 8

Liberal Democrats, controlled the House of Representatives until 1993, could brush off no-confidence motions.

Front 9

In what sense are Japanese political interactions described as an "iron triangle"?

Back 9

Consists of the Liberal Democratic Party, Economic interest groups, and the ministries. The LDP promises to look out for the interest groups, then interest groups help fund them to outspend the competition and win elections.

Front 10

What is meant by "amakudari"?

Back 10

It's the industrial practice where Japanese senior bureaucrats retire to high-profile positions in the private and public sectors. The practice is increasingly viewed as corrupt and a drag on unfastening the ties between provate sector and state which prevent economic and political reforms.

Front 11

What's the name of the Japanese parliament?

Back 11

National Diet of Japan

Front 12

How do the elections for the Diet based on a supplementary member system or parallel voting system differ from the German elections to the Bundestag based on a mixed member proportional voting?

Back 12

Japanese vote for one candidate instead of one party. The candidate within a district with the most votes wins. If there are 7 candidates to vote for in a 4 candidate represented district, the top 4 get elected. whereas in Germany, you vote for a party and the representative from that party will be elected.

Front 13

name at least one Japanese political era and its approximate time frame.

Back 13

Edo period- 1603-168, Meji 1868-1912, Taisho 1912-1926

Front 14

What is the political relevance of the Yashukuni Shrine? Explain.

Back 14

Its a Shinto shrine located in Chiyoda, Tokyo Japan. Dedicated to the kami- spirits of soldiers and those who dies fighting on behalf of the emperor of Japan. It glorifies those who hold/held onto the imperialistic Japan. It serves as a reminder of Imperialistic Japan, the Japan they want to try to stay away from.

Front 15

Compare Japan and Germany's approach to "Vergangenheitsbewaltigung"

Back 15

Japan often tried to deny war crimes and played the victim card by using Hiroshima and the bombings as oppressive. Did not acknowledge thier own faults and didn't really get rid of their radical ideas. Germany dissolved Nazism and turned away, the idea and party that supported it were destroyed.

Front 16

What arguments are usually offered to explain the difference in the 2nd half of the 20th century.

Back 16

The background idea of the Confucian Work ethic where one works hard, is stable and obidient. Frowns on high personal consumption and people should save. These have all contributed to the economic upturn. Other factors include high productivity and low wages and higher education and state supervision.